The Netivot Israel Class on Tefilah

In this shiur we examine the "fifth" blessing of Shema, Yiru Eineinu, from its murky beginnings in Savoraic times until today.

In this shiur we study the early history of Hashkiveinu, the last Beracha of Keriat Shema and in some respects the final prayer of the day.

In this class we study the early history of Emet VeEmunah, the Beracha immediately following Keriat Shema of Arvit. We also discuss the custom to not say VaYomer.

In this shiur we discuss the origins of Ahavat Olam, the second Beracha for Keriat Shema of Arvit, and we learn about how this early Beracha was formulated.

In this class we study the history and nusach of Maariv Aravim, the first Beracha of Keriat Shema for Arvit.

In this shiur we study the earliest sources we have regarding Arvit as an institutional prayer, and we attempt to unravel a medieval Minhag to recite a Chazarah for it.

In this short class we discuss the author of Kadesh U'rchatz, Rabbi Shmuel of Falaise (French name: Sir Morel) and his well known contributions to the study of Passover. With apologies, I forgot to mention that credit needs to be given to Sam Gold and Shimon Steinmetz (via Twitter) for the images in this class.

In this class we study the ancient and medieval origins of Mincha, as well as a strange custom from the Middle Age to pray Mincha twice.

In this class we study the medieval and modern development of Aleinu. We learn about its reception history and its actual use in the liturgy. We also learn about why it was interpreted in Ashkenazic lands as an anti-Christian prayer despite the historical inaccuracy of that interpretation.

In this shiur we study the ancient origins of Aleinu, and we explore the development of liturgical rubrics known today as 'Maamadot'.

In this class we learn more about some common Purim misconceptions, and we explore the origins of Taanit Esther, women reading the Megillah, masquerading, Purim plays, and Hamantaschen. We also note the profound effect that the Jews of Renaissance-era Italy had on Purim.

In this shiur we study the mysterious origins of Ein Ke'Elokeinu, and its parallels in the Heichalot literature. We also touch briefly on Shir Shel Yom.

In this class we discuss the last official section of Shacharit, which includes Ashrei, Psalm 20, and U'Va LeTzion.

In this shiur we study the development of the rituals surrounding the Torah procession, such as opening the Heichal, saying verses of praise, and escorting the Torah to and from the Aron Kodesh.

In this shiur we study the development of Keriat HaTorah in the past 500 years, with the major addition of Berich Shemeih and the reintroduction of the triennial cycle.

In this shiur we dive into how Keriat HaTorah evolved through the Middle Ages, and we focus on 3 major changes: the Baal Koreh, the Targum, and the Triennial cycle.

In this shiur we explore the earliest examples of Keriat HaTorah from Tanach, and how they may have shaped the ritual into Talmudic times.

In this shiur we discuss how Tachanun and Nefilat Apayim evolved between the years 1500-2024 in Halacha, in practice, and in the Siddurim.

Chanukah Sameach!

Chanukah Sameach!

In this shiur we focus on the medieval history of Tachanun, with an emphasis on histories that are often overlooked.

In this shiur we learn about Nefilat Apayim and Tachanun, two aspects of the same ancient liturgy that is commonly said after the Chazarat Ha-Shatz. We trace what we know about it's early development by studying the relevant Sugyot.

In this shiur we examine the origins of Chazarat Ha-Sha"tz, the Chazan's repetition of the Amidah. We also investigate some early and rare customs of the Chazara, such as the Chazara for Arvit.

In this shiur we examine the final Beracha of the Amidah. We explore the history of its composition, the variant texts, and its close relation to Birkat Kohanim.

In this class we finish up our previous topic of Modim and Modim Derabanan, and then continue with the history of Birkat Kohanim. My apologies for the lack of video after a webcam failure.

In this shiur we discuss Modim, the Beracha of 'Hodaah' (thanksgiving), and I present the argument that it was originally the last Beracha of the Amidah in the consciousness of the Tannaim.

In this shiur we study the history of the Beracha "Ritzeh" through its medieval development. We also attempt to reconstruct some of the earliest versions of the Beracha, and we briefly touch upon Yaaleh v'Yavo.

In this shiur we discuss the early history of the Beracha of Ritzeh, and we explore its history before its inclusion into the Amidah.

In this holiday class we explore the origins of the Ashkenazic custom to recite Yizkor on the last day of Yom Tov.

In this class we study the early history and later development of the 16th Beracha of the Amidah which was an early staple of petitionary prayer and a hotbed for embellishment in medieval times.

In this shiur we take a quick look at u'Nesaneh Tokef by explaining what it is, where it came from, and why it became so important to the Rosh HaShana liturgy.

In this class we study the 15th Beracha of the Amidah, which prays for the "sprout of David" ie. the Messiah from the house of King David. We study the earliest evidence for this Beracha and its development, and the many controversies regarding its aurthorship.

In this class we explore the earliest evidence for Berachot regarding Jerusalem, and why the development of this Beracha in particular is so central to the controversy surrounding the origins of the Amidah.

In this shiur we discuss the limited data we have about this early Beracha, and the history of its evolution from ancient times until the modern era. We also discuss the concept of using liturgy for sociopolitical gains.

In this class we discuss the Beracha directed against the "heretics", which historically developed a tremendous set of controversies and instances of censorship, both internal and external.

In this shiur we discuss the complex ancient history of the Beracha of Mishpat, and how variants of Talmud Bavli cast doubt on our conventional understanding of the Beracha.

In this class we learn 10 facts about the Kinnot to hopefully make the experience of using the Sefer HaKinnot more meaningful for everyone. I also provide some tips as to how to read them constructively.

In this class we discuss the 10th blessing of the Amidah and how and why it was the first blessing to be modified by Liberal and Progressive Jews in Europe.

In this shiur we study "Barech Aleinu" (Birchat HaShanim). Being one of the most material petitionary prayers, we review some of the enormous corpus of thought about Tefilah and it's role in the fundamentals of any religion.

In this shiur we learn about the blessing for health, and we study the effects of Rabbinic attempts to safeguard the Nusach of Tefilah.

In this class we study the Beracha of Redemption/Salvation, and we also discuss the concept of classification.

In this class we study the blessing of Selicha, the 6th Beracha of the Amidah. We also study how the genre 'Selichot' evolved from Piyyutim designed for this Beracha.

In this class we examine the development of the fifth blessing of the Amidah, and some problems with the old versions. We also briefly explore the Jewish theology of repentance.

In this class we study the 4th blessing of the Amidah, the blessing for Daat. Sometimes translated as 'Guidance' or 'Knowledge' - we explore how this blessing evolved from ancient times until today.

In this class we study the legacy of Piyyut on Shavuot, with a focus on the Azharot. The Azharot are a genre of Piyyut that enumerate the Mitzvot in a didactic list-poem.

In this class we explore the earliest versions of the Beracha we know as Atah Kadosh, and we discuss the genesis and development of the Kedusha.

In this class we explore the origins and development of the second blessing in the Amidah, and we discuss the theologies of resurrection and life-giving.

In this shiur we begin a study of the individual Berachot of the Amidah. I emphasize how important it is to compare the 2 earliest recensions of the Amidah, and how to study the nature of those recensions. We then learn the relevant sources that constitute the background for the text of the first Beracha.

In this shiur we examine the many approaches taken by scholars throughout the generations to interpret and find meaning in the Amidah.

In this class we take a deep dive into the history of the Passover Haggadah by exploring the development of the Seder and the research that unraveled the complex development of the text. This class was delivered on March 27th, 2023 at the Netivot Israel Congregation, in Brooklyn, New York. To view the slides: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AhrNJHCipcpjg6xB_e5hnC7f9Yyl8g?e=znWTzr

In this shiur we study the history of Nishmat Kol Chai and how it became a part of the Haggadah Shel Pesach.